Jamison was blunt. “You don’t need to bring me anything from now on. You work hard for your money.”

Celeste froze, her face flushing with embarrassment.

A few nurses nearby, seeing Jamison’s stony expression, quickly found an excuse to slip away, eager to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

When no one came to take the breakfast, Jamison simply tossed it into the trash.

The clang of the lid echoed in the empty room, as sharp and humiliating as a slap across Celeste’s face. The tension in the air thickened.

Luckily, the department was empty at this hour.

After a long, awkward pause, Celeste finally stepped forward and asked outright, “Jamison, do you have a problem with me? Ever since I transferred here, you’ve kept your distance. That night, I even helped save your wife, but you haven’t even thanked me.”

Jamison’s voice was cool and detached. “Didn’t my wife thank you? Besides, we’re doctors–helping people is part of the job. Would you really refuse to treat someone just because they didn’t say thank you?”

Celeste retorted quickly, “Of course not. I just think your deliberate coldness is… hurtful.”

“My personality’s always been like this. You’re reading too much into it.” With that, Jamison slid open his desk drawer, took out a plain wedding band, and slipped it onto the ring finger of his left hand right in front of her.

The message couldn’t have been clearer.

Celeste stared at the gleaming ring, rooted to the spot, mortified. She felt her chest tighten–she couldn’t even take a proper breath.

She’d always thought Jamison was just reserved–a man of few words, strict and intimidating, and that was part of what made him so attractive.

But after seeing how gentle he could be with his wife, how easily he smiled and doted on her, everything Celeste believed about him was turned upside down.

So the man who seemed cold as ice could be tender–soft even.

From that moment, she was hooked, more than ever, unable to let go.

But the unfairness of it all gnawed at her. She’d waited for a man like him for years, and now, just like that, he belonged to someone else.

The silent office was suddenly interrupted by a junior nurse bursting in, breathless. “Dr. Ludwig, the patient in bed three just lost consciousness!”

Jamison was on his feet in an instant, already heading for the door.

Celeste lingered where she stood, her hair catching in the breeze as he rushed past, then slowly settling back against her cheek.

Her eyes burned, and her heart felt as barren as a wasteland.

That evening, Jamison finished work right on time. As he was leaving the department, he called Ivy.

She was still at the library, cramming for her final exams. When she saw his name on the screen, she got up and stepped out of the reading room before answering. “Hello? What now?”

“Still studying?”

“Of course. My exam’s tomorrow.”

“Right, I know. So you’re really not coming home tonight?”

Ivy was firm. “Nope. I already told you–I need to study.”

He sighed, playing it up. “I’ve been alone in that big house for nights now. I’m starting to forget what sleep feels like.”

Ivy tried not to laugh. “Is it really that bad? How did you manage before?”

“Before, I didn’t have a wife. Didn’t even think about it. It’s not the same.”

She rolled her eyes, exasperated. “Okay, enough nonsense. Go home and get some rest. Mrs. Naylor’s been sick, you’ve all had a rough week.”

“Yeah. She’s being discharged tomorrow morning. I’ll take her home, get her settled, then I’ll head straight to your exam center early in the afternoon.”

“No need to get there so early. Waiting around is the worst. Just come a bit before it starts.”

“I’d just be waiting at home anyway.”

“Fine, suit yourself.”

Ivy couldn’t help but smile. He was so clingy lately, completely different from the cool, calm persona she’d bragged about to her friends just a few days ago.

She should’ve known–some people just can’t handle being praised. The moment you do, they show a whole new side.